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AMERICAN RING PLOVER. 
CHARADRIUS SEMIPALMATUS, Bonar. 
PLATE CCCXXX. Mate anp Youne. 
I nave had great pleasure in observing the migrations of this spe- 
cies, particularly in early spring, when great numbers enter the south- 
ern portions of the United States, on their way northward, where it 
is now well known to breed. At that period, whatever attempts you 
may make to prevent their progress, they always endeavour to advance 
eastward ; whereas in early autumn, they will rove in any direction, 
as if perfectly aware that, the task imposed upon them by Nature hav- 
ing been accomplished, they may enjoy their leisure. Those which 
pass the winter within the limits of the Union, are mostly found along 
the shores of South Carolina, Georgia, the Floridas, and as far south 
as the mouths of the Mississippi; there being no doubt that many re- 
main on the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico, as I have found some there 
early in spring, before observing those which I knew by their manners 
to be recently arrived. In the course of my late visit to Texas, I 
found them on Galveston Bay, where I observed some arriving from 
the westward. 
During their polar migration, they proceed rather swiftly, for al- 
though they appear to touch at every place likely to afford them food 
and repose, they seldom tarry long. Thus, many individuals, which 
may have been in Texas early in April, not unfrequently reach Labra- 
dor by the middle of May ; although some are a month later in reach- 
ing the ultimate point of their journey, which, according to Dr 
Ricuarpson, sometimes extends as far as the Arctic Regions. 
While with us in spring, they confine themselves to the sandy 
beaches of our sea-coasts, whether on the mainland or on islands; but 
when they arrive at their breeding stations, they abandon their mari- 
time life, and resort to mountainous mossy lands, as is also the custom 
with several other species. On my way to Labrador, I saw some of 
them in almost every place at which we landed ; and when I reached 
Nastasguan Bay, they were breeding in all the spots that were adapted 
for that purpose. Their manners formed an agreeable subject of 
